Government endorses community audits of CDF spending to strengthen transparency, accountability and public trust
The GREAT Coalition Government, through the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), has formally endorsed the Office of the Auditor General’s (OAG) use of Community Participatory Audits (CPA) to audit the Constituency Development Funds (CDF), in a move aimed at strengthening transparency and rebuilding public trust in how the funds are spent.
Speaking at the recent launch of CPA, Minister for Rural Development Daniel Waneoroa said the initiative marked “a small but significant step” towards ensuring development spending is accountable to citizens.
“For too long, public perception of these funds has been marred by stories of unfair distribution and a lack of transparency,” Minister Waneoroa said.
“Today, we turn a new leaf by formally endorsing the Office of the Auditor General’s use of Community Participatory Audits in the auditing of the constituency development funds.”
The CDF represents approximately $250 million annually — around 6 per cent of the national budget and 30 per cent of the development budget.
Under Section 30 of the CDF Act 2023, the fund is subject to audit by the Auditor-General, in line with the Auditor-General’s constitutional mandate under Section 108 to audit all government authorities.
Minister Waneoroa noted the Act carries significant legal weight, with penalties for misappropriation of funds of up to $100,000 or five years’ imprisonment for Members of Parliament and public officers.
Unlike traditional audits that rely solely on paper records, Community Participatory Audits draw on the direct experience of citizens and Civil Society Organisations to verify whether projects, such as water tanks or clinics, have actually been delivered on the ground.
“Community Participatory Audits looks at reality through the eyes of our people, in which they will form a significant part of the audit processes,” the Minister said.
“Our constituents are the ones who see every day if a water tank was delivered or a clinic was built.”
He said the approach was not about “catching” people out, but about giving Constituency Officers, Development Committees, Members of Parliament and community leaders the feedback needed to improve decision-making and service delivery.
The OAG has already piloted the approach in North Guadalcanal and East Are’are Constituencies, with plans to roll out Community Participatory Audits to all 50 constituencies as budget and capacity allow.
The Ministry of Rural Development has indicated it will explore options to financially support the OAG in delivering the programme nationally.
Minister Waneoroa called on fellow Members of Parliament, Constituency Development Officers and community leaders to welcome OAG audit teams “with open doors and open books” as the programme rolls out.
“Let us embrace this opportunity to show that the CDF can be a trusted engine of growth,” he said.
“By opening ourselves to the scrutiny of the people we serve, we prove our commitment to a prosperous, accountable, and united Solomon Islands.”
CDF is the financing component of the Solomon Islands Government’s Constituency Development Program, administered by MRD and implemented across 50 constituencies to improve livelihoods.
— MRD PRESS RELEASE
